OHL Classic at Mayakoba Preview

The PGA Tour heads to Mexico’s Riviera Maya this week for the OHL Classic at Mayakoba. Harris English defends the title over Greg Norman’s El Camaleon course.

Lowdown: The PGA Tour heads to Mexico’s Riviera Maya this week for the OHL Classic at Mayakoba. Harris English defends the title over Greg Norman’s El Camaleon course.

With just two tournaments left in the 2014 part of the PGA Tour’s wrap-around season, a number of the early leaders on the FedEx Cup standings have made the journey to Mexico to try and boost their points totals. Robert Streb heads the standings and he’ll be looking to increase his advantage in Mayakoba.

Designed by Greg Norman, the course at El Camaleon has played host to this event since it was first held in 2007. Set amid the jungle and mangroves with views out to the beautiful Caribbean Sea, it’s one of the most striking venues visited by the PGA Tour.

The first six editions of the tournament were contested alongside the WGC-Accenture Match Play in February. As such they didn’t attract such strong fields. As of last year, the event has been shifted to the autumn and the prize-fund ramped up. This year sees a purse of $6,100,000 and a first prize of $1,098,000.

In last year’s tournament Harris English claimed his second PGA Tour title. He had to complete 29 holes on the final day owing to weather delays. English fired a closing 65 to beat Brian Stuard by four shots.

The weather this week looks reasonably settled, although there could be rain on Thursday and Sunday, hopefully nothing significant enough to cause a halt to play though.

Venue: El Camaleon, Playa del Carmen, Mexico Date: Nov 13-16 Course stats: par 71, 6,987 yards Purse: $6,100,000 Winning Share: $1,098,000 Defending Champion: Harris English (-21)

TV Coverage: Thursday 13 – Sky Sports 4 from 7pm Friday 14 – Sky Sports 4 from 7pm Saturday 15 – Sky Sports 4 from 7pm Sunday 16 – Sky Sports 4 from 7pm

Player Watch: Jason Bohn – He was tied second last week in the Sanderson Farms Championship and has a good record in this tournament – he was tied third last year.

Brian Stuard – He’s twice been runner-up in this event, including last season. He played well in his last start at the CIMB Classic.

Mark Wilson – He’s on solid form with top-10s in his last two events on the PGA Tour. He won this tournament back in 2009.

Key hole: 12th. A long par-4 of 451 yards, this testing hole plays back into the prevailing wind. Approach shots must be accurate as the green is small, raised and sloping. Anything just off line will roll off the surface. Statistically, this tends to be the toughest hole on the course.